Photo books - NOT amateur radio

Every season, my wife does a photo book showing what we have done. It is interesting to look back on these. She gets half the fun creating them.

We will soon need a bigger shelf!

Free G3XBM book reminder

A reminder that my free PDF G3XBM Project Scrapbook is at issue 5. 

I meant to include details of how I accessed the world DMR network with just an Android phone (no hotspots, DMR portables or dongles needed), but I forgot, so this will have to await the next edition!

See  https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/book

My scrapbook must be updated

It is some time since I updated my G3XBM Project Scrapbook. This is available as a free PDF download. 

My last update was back in January. This page should always link to the latest available version. At the moment it is at Issue 4.

My free PDF G3XBM Project Scrapbook

In my life in the amateur radio hobby, I have been very fortunate. If others can have as much fun as I have, it will please me greatly. My website has a link to the latest version of this book. It is totally free and money is not expected. Just have fun!

You can just browse it, download the lot or just the bits that take your fancy. As I always say, I am sure my projects may be improved, so treat these as starting points.

At some point, I must update it as there have been a few changes of late.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/book .

That darn book!

Current email footer

In my email footer are links to my various websites. For the life of me, I cannot see why putting a link to the shared file of my free PDF book always included the file as an attachment as well!  

As this is a 12.8MB file some emails may reject it!  I searched the settings, but cannot see why it does this.

Instead, I have put a link to the book page on my website. So, clicking there is a link to the latest edition. This seems fine.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/book .

I must be doing something wrong

My free PDF scrapbook is now at issue 2, but for some reason my tinyurl still goes to the issue 1 version despite the issue 2 having the same filename and being in the same directory where issue 1 was. I must be doing something wrong, but as I write this (on Sunday night) I cannot work out what I am doing wrongly. When I have a clearer head, I shall point to the newer version!

My free PDF Project Scrapbook

The first edition is now ready. Click the link to gain access and download.

If I make any corrections or additions, I hope to use the same link so you are always pointed to the latest version. 

https://tinyurl.com/y56vjhd6

My free PDF book - nearly ready

Today I added a few photos, the page numbers and page footers. It is 94 pages long. When I have indexed all the pages and proof read it for silly mistakes, it should be ready. This should be in the next few days.

It is as much about my legacy as anything else, so I cannot, and do not, want to charge anything. When I was fitter, experimenting and building gave me a lot of fun. All I want is you to have as much fun. My legacy would be if this collection gave you some inspiration.

As I find mistakes or add things I expect to keep the same link address, but it will always go to the latest version.

My free PDF book

Although I hope to have every page complete before I go to see my brother next week, I shall still need to check things and order the pages, so it will not be available until some time in July. I am making no deadlines as I always seem to miss them! 

One thing is sure: there will be a link on my blog and website and I shall send the link to the main radio mags. Whether they decide to print it is another matter!

It should contain all my projects and a bit more that may be of interest. As it is a brain-dump as much for me as others, I cannot charge anything for it. What would really please me is if others experimented for the first time and some of my unfinished projects were finished.

Over the years, I have had lots of fun and I hope you do too.

That free PDF book

Tomorrow is the last day of May. We have visitors, so I shall not finish the book as planned by the end of May! 

My current deadline (self imposed) is mid-June. If I manage to do it sooner, you will hear it here!

Free PDF book progress

Well, I think most of the text is now done. I have to reorder the pages and add photos and schematics. At the moment, it is still on target for the end of May, but I make no promises!

As I have said before, this will be a free PDF book, so anyone can have a copy. All I want to do is share my ideas and fun. If you want to print it out, that is your choice. 

It will be linked from this blog and (I hope!) most major radio magazines. At least I shall send them the link. Whether or not it is used is outside of my control!

As I find mistakes or things to add, I shall create newer versions with probably the same link. This way, the link should always point to the latest version. There are bound to be mistakes or omissions. At least, this way I can readily change or add things.

That free PDF G3XBM project scrapbook

It is pleasing to say that this book is on target to be completed by the end of May. 

My intention is to collect all my projects into a freely downloadable PDF book. I shall add the link on this blog and send it to the major radio magazines. I want this to be freely available so you can share my fun. It is a scrapbook as it is full of ideas that I am sure can be improved by experimentation.

Nothing would give me more pleasure than if someone took my projects further.

The reason for the free PDF is to avoid the copyright issues that might arise with a printed book. Also it means I can add additions and corrections easily at any time.

G3XBM book progress

The G3XBM Projects Scrapbook creation is underway. 

All being well, I hope to have this available as a free PDF by the end of May. There is quite a bit of work, so if it is a bit late do not be too surprised!  At least as a free PDF I can add to it or make corrections easily. 

I hope to publicise the link widely and hope it gives you some ideas, as that is its aim. It has been lots of fun on my journey. 

Many would prefer a printed book, but this would take much longer and there might be some copyright issues. As a free PDF these issues should be avoided. 

As I have said many times, my aim was never to make any money from a book, rather to put my ideas and projects in one place for those that want them. 

That projects book

Several people have suggested that I do a book of all my projects. I started it, but have not got too far! It is a lot of hard work, but might be a good idea. What do you think? 

Looking back, I have done several projects and it might be a "good thing" to have them all together. These cover VLF to light (1 kHz to 481 THz) plus some antennas.

Someone in the comments suggested a PDF version, which is not a bad idea. Maybe I should consider this? 

I am not really after money for this, so maybe I should do it and add it as a free download from my website? If anyone wants to give a charity donation, they would be free to do so. If they just want the PDF book, that is their choice.

Hopefully, Practical Wireless, RadCom and QST (maybe others too?) could give the link.

Amateur radio projects book?

Some time ago someone suggested I write a book summarising all my amateur radio projects. 

Sorry to disappoint, but this is very unlikely. Writing a book is a lot of work. All my projects are on my website and G3XBM video channel. 

It is nice idea to compile a book, but quite a commitment.

UPDATE 1500z: I didn't realise quite how many projects I had done (at least 25). Maybe I should do a book.  Maybe this should be my winter project?  😉

Homo Deus - NOT amateur radio

I have just finished reading "Homo Deus" by the author who also wrote "Sapiens". I have to admit that these two non-fiction books are perhaps the most thought provoking books I have ever read. "Sapiens" looks at the history of mankind and "Homo Deus" is a look into the future.

You may not agree, but the latter is certainly thought provoking. What is approaching is undeniable: vast amounts of data are known and now, or very soon, machines will be able to process and analyse these data far better than the human brain. Perhaps Homo Sapiens is not the ultimate being we once thought.

The main problem remains consciousness. What is it? What is its purpose? Can we ever understand why it exists?

All the time I am aware of how limited our world view is. According to these books religions are human inventions.

What is clear is how little we understand.

Catch 22 - NOT amateur radio

This book is always rated highly but I have yet to speak with anyone who has enjoyed it. I managed to get through it, but found it boring as hell. My wife has tried several times, but always given up! We gave away our copy (keep it PLEASE) and were only too glad to get rid of it. Maybe it means more if you are American and it was read years ago?

If you read it, I'd like to know how you got on.

I still find it hard to see why it is so highly rated.

13th Century Book - NOT amateur radio

As this book is so old and so rare it is usually rarely on show. Yesterday we were fortunate to see it on display at Southwell Minster Chapter House.

Southwell Minster is a Norman building and very peaceful. Southwell is about 12 miles east of Nottingham and was a delightful place.

Alibris book hunt - NOT amateur radio

After a week in South Devon, I wanted to buy a book on the village where we were staying. I read the book at our holiday place. It was printed in 1993 and is now out of print. I tried Alibris, but they could not point me to a second hand copy. I'll keep checking back.  Alibris keep telling me about special deals and can usually locate most books. I was surprised not to be able to find it.

Many years ago my uncle walked to school, rain or shine, a round-trip of about 14 miles every day. What looks like his father or grandfather is in the book cutting hair with sheep shears! There is also a photo (very old) of where we stayed when it was still a farm barn.